Photo credit: Guy Wilkinson Photography
Laminex, Melamine, Laminate, Polyurethane,… Please Explain!
Like all languages, the language of cabinetmakers has clumsily evolved over time. People are comparing orange coloured laminex with apple coloured polyurethane and unsure of whether one is better than the other for their project. I hope the following descriptions help to clarify cabinet materials and their general pros and cons.
1 Solid Timber is natural wood milled from actual trees available in a great variety of colours and grain patterns according to the individual species and individual tree.
Suits: Benchtops, doors, panels, handles and moulded profiles.
Pros:
- Durability: when scratched or chipped it can be sanded and refinished.
- Unique character, since no piece is the same. As the solid material is shaped and contoured through a woodworking process, unique grain patterns are revealed.
- Structural integrity allows long spans suited to cantilevered (floating style)shelving, and benches.
Cons:
- Higher price point.
- Susceptible to twisting and warping.
Tim Noone created the mesmerising effect of this credenza using the contouring capability of solid wood, in this case, American Oak.
The doors are clad with 88 triangular strips of American Oak alternating between two and three scallops to create an intricate pattern. It was then stained black and lacquered.
2 Timber Veneer is a thin layer of real timber applied onto a stable substrate of particleboard.
Suits: Low impact flat surfaces (e.g. vertical surfaces) or low traffic shelving. Desks and loose furniture.
Pros:
- An affordable way to have the natural appearance of real wood.
- Less chance of warping.
Cons:
- Cannot be repaired if penetrated beyond the veneer layer
- Unsuitable for moulded profiles (e.g. panelled doors) because the veneer is only millimetres thick.
Timber veneer adds character to this wardrobe niche
3 Medium Density Fibreboard (“MDF”) is man-made engineered wood preferred for most modern cabinetry intended to be painted.
Suits: Dimensional shaping and routing profiles, e.g. panelled doors where an exact paint colour match is required.
Pros:
- The smooth, stable finish suits any paint or polyurethane application for any colour or gloss level.
Cons:
- Painted finishes are relatively easy to scratch and chip. This makes them unsuitable for work surfaces and high traffic areas.
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
MDF, finished in gloss polyurethane is suited to routed panel detail in the island in this dressing room
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
This credenza is MDF finished in Satin Polyurethane with timber detail in manmade walnut veneer.
4 Melamine Finished Particleboard is a man made product consisting of particleboard or MDF substrate which is sandwiched and edged in 0.1mm melamine coating. It is the standard modern material for cabinet interiors and flat faced doors.
Pros:
- Stable.
- Affordable
- Easy to wipe clean.
- Durable.
- Available in a wide range of colours, patterns and textures.
Cons:
- Cannot be repaired or restored since the melamine coating is only millimetres thick.
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
Each of the above projects are melamine finish
5 High-Pressure Laminate or Decorative Laminate is a 0.7-1mm high pressure bonded decorative kraft paper, glue, and resin material ready to be laid onto substrate board by the cabinetmaker. This is done through a similar process to that used when applying timber veneer. It is available in a range of designs, including imitation stone, imitation wood, and solid colours. A limited range of edge profiles are available including square, post formed and 10 degree radius.
Suited to bench tops
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Durable.
- Water-resistant.
Cons:
- Not solid throughout so not repairable.
- Lower heat tolerance than stone.
- Scratches occur in areas of high friction and are especially obvious when the laminate is a dark colour.
- Requires an edge to be applied. This can have an artificial effect depending on the design.
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
The desk material on this sit/stand desk is made of decorative laminate with a 10 degree radius edge. The upper doors are MDF shaker doors with glass insert finished in polyurethane.
6 Solid Surface -Ugh! Yes, that is actually it’s technical name! You might know it by brand names such as Staron or Corian for example.
A highly durable, mineral, and pure acrylic material available in many colours and patterns.
Suits: Bench top applications, cabinet exteriors, floating shelves and wall cladding. Horizontal and vertical surfaces. Ideal for free-form shapes with many designs suitable for backlighting applications.
Pros-:
- Can be moulded into any shape for total freedom of design.
- Antimicrobial.
- Durable.
- Silica Free.
- Low Maintenance.
- Inconspicuous joining through a chemical bonding process achieves a seamless appearance.
- Durable, non-porous, repairable, and renewable.
- Available in many patterns and colours
Cons:
- Mid to high range cost.
- Slight patina due to abrasion but this can be restored.
photo credit Staron Solid Surface and Mario Romano Walls (Routed Pattern on Doors)
Staron Bright White and New Guinea Rosewood were the materials of choice for this home office. The forming capability of Staron gave a super crisp, virtually invisible connection between the desk and drawers. The luxurious material is warmer to touch than stone, making it a comfortable material for a desk or any surface in contact with the skin for long periods.
Beyond the desk, Mario Romano Walls in Lake design routed into Staron was clad to the full height cabinetry. This added texture and movement, for a permanent and durable finish.
7 Steel -Ventilated Shelving
For utility spaces, a trip down the hardware storage aisle shows pre-fab products of steel and white melamine. They can be dressed up and personalised with timber fascias and decorative accessories.
Pros-:
- Super simple DIY storage
- Adjustable
- Economical
- Durable
- Has many storage accessories like hooks, sport racks
- Usually in stock and ready to go
- Relocatable
Cons:
- Modularity can restrict the design
- Cleaning is difficult
- Rust in the long term
- Leaves the impression of the wire on soft clothing
Photo credit: Abe Bastoli Pennant Hills Studio | Design: Sally Hart
This modular steel construction from Elfa is an affordable DIY. Similar products are available in hardware stores at various price points.
And .. 2 Pack Polyurethane
2 Pack is heavy duty spray paint available in a range of gloss levels and any colour.
Although polyurethane is a finish rather than a material, it is included here because it tends to cause confusion through frequently offered as an alternative to other materials like solid wood or melamine. The reason for the comparison, is that most of the time, people are concerned with the exterior profile, texture and colour of the cabinetry rather than what is made of. If a person wants a profile door, such as a Hampton style, it is likely the door will be made of MDF, but it will be referred to as Polyurethane to differentiate it from an unfinished MDF door which would need to be painted on site. If a person wanted a flat faced/slab door they could choose a melamine door, but if they preferred to have unlimited colour or gloss choice, or preferred the look of an MDF door finished in polyurethane because the edges are joint free compared to melamine, the doors would commonly be referred to as and MDF door finished in polyurethane, which is often reduced to a “polyurethane door” for short.
To add to the confusion, large manufacturers such as Laminex and Polytec have a range of Thermolaminated doors in a large range of profiles, colours and finishes.
Two pack polyurethane allowed this wardrobe to be uniquely coloured very smooth finish.